Bolts shouldn't be Manning-handled

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2013 file photo, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning fumbles as he is hit by San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Tourek Williams during the third quarter of an NFL football game in San Diego. Hard to pinpoint exactly what it is, but ever since defensive backs started pressing his receivers and defensive linemen started diving at his ankles while also getting to his blindside, something's been a little off with Peyton Manning. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy, File)
The Associated Press

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2013 file photo, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning fumbles as he is hit by San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Tourek Williams during the third quarter of an NFL football game in San Diego. Hard to pinpoint exactly what it is, but ever since defensive backs started pressing his receivers and defensive linemen started diving at his ankles while also getting to his blindside, something's been a little off with Peyton Manning. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy, File)

Look, there is no doubt the Chargers defense, which started three players who had never gone against Manning and another three who were not even making their 10th NFL start, was overwhelmed by the speed and efficiency of the Broncos offense the first part of that game.

You have to mix things up and get pressure on Manning. The Chargers couldn't even get lined up properly much of the time. Several plays just got away from them.

“It was just fast,” said rookie linebacker Manti Te’o. “It seemed like it was 100 miles an hour. Things are just going in every direction, and you’re just frozen in there.”

When Denver scored on the opening series of the third quarter to go up 28-6, Peyton Manning was to that point 20-of-26 for 292 yards with touchdown passes to finish four of the Broncos’ six drives.

Then it got less ugly, much less ugly, enough to make the Chargers believe they could actually compete with the Broncos.

Tourek Williams would get a sack and force a fumble on Manning’s next drop-back. Consecutive incompletions on the Broncos’ next drive would bring up the first of three straight Denver punts.

The Broncos would not score again and Manning would complete just five of his final 10 passes for 38 yards. His 87 yards were the fewest he’s thrown in a second half all season.

It wasn’t a total shutdown. The Broncos did slow the game down, running more as the game inched into the fourth quarter.

But it was a marked improvement that suggests the Chargers are not just trying to make themselves feel better when they speak of being empowered.

“I have more confidence, more belief than ever coming away from this game,” Weddle said that day.

Weddle emerging positive from that loss had something to do with a premonition going into the game. Chargers veterans sensed after a week of practice that their young teammates would let the Manning Moment shake them, at least for a time. They could see in film sessions that the young players were awestruck by Manning’s quick, precise proficiency.

This week, Weddle explained why it will be different Thursday.

“You see it, you feel it, you’ve been in it. Any time you can experience going against someone for yourself personally -- when you’re watching film and see him killing everyone, you say, ‘Well, I guarded that route, I made a pass break-up, we sacked Peyton right there.’ You remember that stuff. When you get in that situation against him, you line up and you’re like, ‘Shoot, I’m ready. Let’s go.’ You’re not passive, worried, scared.”